Paperboard multi-pack carrier

ABSTRACT

A paperboard multi-pack carrier includes a center panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. The first side panel is connected to and folded against the center panel along a first fold line, and the second side panel is connected to and folded against the center panel along a second fold line. The center panel defines plural apertures configured to removably receive and retain corresponding containers. The side panels define plural bights having free edges configured to be received within corresponding grooves defined by upper and lower portions of the containers.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/007,741 filed Apr. 9, 2020 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a multi-pack carrier, and more specifically to a paperboard multi-pack carrier configured to removably receive and retain containers, for example, beverage cans.

BACKGROUND

Multi-pack carriers for removably receiving and retaining beverage cans and other containers are known in the art. Many such carriers are in the form of interconnected plastic rings, with each ring configured to removably receive and retain a corresponding container. The use of plastic for such carriers has several drawbacks. For one, plastic is manufactured from petroleum base stock, which may be in limited supply and costly. For another, such plastic carriers are single-use items that contribute significantly to the waste stream. Also, such plastic carriers are chemically stable and do not readily break down for long periods of time. Further, such plastic carriers present a hazard to wildlife that may come into contact with them.

It would be desirable to provide a multi-pack carrier that does not suffer from the foregoing drawbacks.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure may comprise one or more of the following features and combinations thereof.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a blank for a paperboard multi-pack carrier is configured to removably receive and retain a plurality of containers, each of the containers including a cylindrical upper portion having a first radius and a lower portion. The cylindrical upper portion and the lower portion cooperate to define a circular groove having a second radius lesser than the first radius. The blank has an upper surface and a lower surface, and includes a center panel, a first side panel connected to the center panel by a first fold line, and a second side panel connected to the center panel by a second fold line.

The center panel defines a first plurality of bulb-shaped apertures. Each of the first plurality of bulb-shaped apertures has a first circular portion spaced from the first fold line and a first neck portion contiguous with the first circular portion. The first circular portion has a radius lesser than the first radius. The center panel also defines a second plurality of bulb-shaped apertures. Each of the second plurality of bulb-shaped apertures has a second circular portion spaced from the second fold line and a second neck portion contiguous with the first circular portion. The second circular portion has a radius lesser than the first radius. In some embodiments, the center panel further defines at least one further aperture configured to receive an appendage of a user.

The first side panel defines a first plurality of bights. Each of the first plurality of bights corresponds to a respective one of the first plurality of apertures and has a radius less than the first radius. The second side panel defines a second plurality of bights. Each of the second plurality of bights corresponds to a respective one of the second plurality of apertures and having a radius less than the first radius.

In some embodiments, the first fold line is defined by a crease formed into the blank. The first fold line may be frangible.

In some embodiments, the radius of at least one of the first plurality of bights is equal to the radius of the corresponding one of the first plurality of apertures.

In some embodiments, the neck portion of at least one of the first plurality of apertures is adjacent to the first fold line. In some embodiments, the neck portion of at least one of the first plurality of apertures is contiguous with the first fold line

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a paperboard multi-pack carrier is formed from a blank according to any of the embodiments described above by folding the first side panel about the first fold line so that the lower surface of the first side panel faces the lower surface of the center panel, and by folding the second side panel about the second fold line so that the lower surface of the second side panel faces the lower surface of the center panel.

A further aspect of the present disclosure provides for a method of using a multi-pack container to removably retain and receive a plurality of containers, each of the containers including a cylindrical upper portion having a first radius and a lower portion, the cylindrical upper portion and the lower portion cooperating to define a circular groove having a second radius lesser than the first radius. The method includes providing a blank for a paperboard multi-pack carrier according to any of the embodiments described above. The method also includes inserting the cylindrical upper portion of one of the plurality of containers through a corresponding one of the first plurality of apertures so that a free edge of the circular portion of the corresponding one of the first plurality of apertures engages with the cylindrical groove of the one of the plurality of containers and folding the first side panel about the first fold line so that the lower surface of the first side panel faces the lower surface of the center panel and so that a free edge of a corresponding one of the first plurality of bights engages with the cylindrical, circumferential groove of the one of the plurality of containers.

These and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description of the illustrative embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-pack carrier according to the present disclosure and a plurality of containers removably received by the multi-pack carrier;

FIG. 2A is an end elevation view of the multi-pack carrier and containers of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a detail view showing the engagement of the multi-pack carrier with one of the containers

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of one of the containers of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a blank from which the multi-pack carrier of FIG. 1 may be erected;

FIG. 5 is an end elevation view of the blank of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a roll of a plurality of ones of the blanks shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 interconnected along frangible connections;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the multi-pack carrier of FIGS. 1 and 2A erected from the blank of FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 8 is an end elevation view of the multi-pack carrier of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a plurality of containers with upper ends thereof received within apertures defined by the blank of FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 10 is an end elevation view of the containers and blank of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the multi-pack carrier and containers of FIG. 1 showing a container being removed from the multi-pack carrier

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to a number of illustrative embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same.

FIGS. 1 and 2A show a paperboard multi-pack carrier 10 according to the present disclosure and a plurality of containers C removable received by the multi-pack carrier 10. As best shown in FIG. 3, each of the containers C has a cylindrical upper portion U and a lower portion L. The cylindrical upper portion U and the lower portion L cooperate to define a circumferential groove G therebetween. The cylindrical upper portion U has a first radius R1. The circular groove G has a second radius R2 lesser than the first radius R1.

In the embodiment shown, the container C is a can, for example, a beverage can. As best shown in FIG. 3, the lower portion L of the can C is a right cylindrical vessel, and the upper portion U of the can C is a lid that is crimped to the lower portion U. The lid U overlies and is crimped to the upper end of the lower portion L. The outer perimeter of the lid U cooperates with the upper end of the lower portion L to define the groove G.

In other embodiments (not shown), the container C could be an alternative form of container. The lower portion L of the alternative form of the container C would have a cylindrical upper end interfacing with the upper portion U, for example, as described above. The remainder of the lower portion, however, could have other, non-cylindrical profiles, for example, without limitation, oval, square, rectangular, or other polygonal or non-polygonal profiles.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the multi-pack carrier 10 and the containers C are configured so that the lower portion L of each of the containers C is in abutment with the lower portion L of adjacent containers C.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an illustrative blank 100 from which the paperboard multi-pack carrier 10 may be erected. The blank 100 has a first or upper surface and a second or lower surface. The blank 100 is made of paperboard, for example, without limitation, clay-coated or bare solid unbleached sulfate (SUS) paperboard in 16 pt, 18 pt, 20 pt, or 24 pt thicknesses.

The blank 100 includes a center panel 112, a first side panel 114, and a second side panel 116. Each of the center panel 112, the first side panel 114, and the second side panel 116 has a first or upper surface corresponding to the first or upper surface of the blank 100, and a second or lower surface corresponding to the second or lower surface of the blank 100. The first side panel 114 is connected to the center panel 112 along a first fold line 118. The second side panel 116 is connected to the center panel 112 along a second fold line 120. The second fold line 120 may be parallel to the first fold line 118.

Each of the first and second fold lines 118, 120 may be defined by a crease or scoring formed into the blank 100. In some embodiments, the first and second fold lines 118, 120 may be defined by skiving or the like. As such, each of the first and second fold lines 118, 120 may define a region of reduced thickness compared to other portions of the blank 100. This feature may facilitate folding of the first and second side panels 114, 116 about the first and second fold lines 118, 120, respectively. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first and second fold lines 118, 120 may be frangible. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first and second fold lines 118, 120 may be perforated.

The center panel 112 defines a plurality of apertures 122. In the embodiment shown, the center panel defines six apertures 122 arranged in two columns and three rows. As such, three of the apertures 122 are adjacent the first fold line 118, and another three of the apertures 122 are adjacent the second fold line 120. In other embodiments, the center panel 112 may define fewer or more apertures 122 in fewer or more rows of apertures 122.

Each of the apertures 122 incudes a circular portion 124 and a neck portion 126 contiguous with the circular portion 124. In the embodiment shown, the circular portion 124 and the neck portion of each of the apertures 122 cooperate to form a bulb shape. Each of the circular portions 124 is spaced from the first and second fold lines 118, 120. Each of the circular portions 124 has a third radius R3 lesser than the first radius R1. The third radius R3 may be less than, equal to, or greater than the second radius R2. In the embodiment shown, each of the neck portions 126 is adjacent to and contiguous with the corresponding first or second fold line 118, 120. In some embodiments, the neck portions 126 could be adjacent to but spaced apart from the respective fold lines 118, 120. In some other embodiments, the neck portions 126 could be spaced apart from but not adjacent to the respective fold lines 118, 120.

The center panel 112 may also define one or more holes 125 configured to receive a user's appendage to facilitate carrying of the multi-pack carrier 10 by the user.

The first side panel 114 defines a plurality of arcuate portions or bights 128. Each of the bights 128 has a fourth radius R4. In the embodiment shown, the fourth radius R4 is equal to the third radius R3. In other embodiments, the fourth radius R4 may be lesser than or greater than the third radius R3, and lesser than the first radius R1. Each of the bights 128 is configured to coincide with a corresponding portion of a corresponding aperture 122 when the first side panel 114 is folded about the first fold line 118 and against the center panel 112.

The second side panel 116 is the mirror image of the first side panel 114 and will not be discussed in further detail.

As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of blanks 100 may be provided in the form of a roll R of blanks 100. The plurality of blanks 100 may be fabricated from a single piece of paperboard stock. Each of the blanks 100 on the roll R is connected to at least one other of the blanks 100 by a corresponding region of connection X. In some embodiments, the region of connection X may be frangible. For example, the region of connection X may be in the form of perforations between adjacent ones of the blanks 100. In some other embodiments, the region of connection X could simply be defined as a space between adjacent rows or columns of apertures 122. In such other embodiments, the number of apertures defined by the blank 100 could be scaled as desired by cutting the blank 100 to include any suitable number of apertures 122.

As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the blank 100 may be converted into the multi-pack carrier 10 by folding the first side panel 114 about the first fold line 118 so that the lower surface of the first side panel 114 faces the lower surface of the center panel 112, and by similarly folding the second side panel 116 about the second fold line 120 so that the lower surface of the second side panel 116 faces the lower surface of the center panel 112.

As best shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 5, 9 and 10, a container C may be removably received and retained in the multi-pack carrier 10 by inserting the upper portion U of the container C through a corresponding one of the apertures 122. Because the first radius R1 of the upper portion U of the container is greater than the third radius R3 of the aperture 122, some force may be required to insert the upper portion U of the container C through the aperture 122. The presence of the neck portion 126 of the aperture 122 may allow for some temporary distortion of the free edge of the circular portion 124 of the aperture 122, thereby facilitating insertion of the upper portion U of the container in the aperture 122 without tearing or otherwise damaging the multi-pack carrier 10. With the upper portion U of the container C received through the aperture 122, a free edge 130 of the circular portion 124 of the aperture 122 may become engaged within the groove G of the container C.

The first side panel 114 may be then be folded against the center panel 112 so that a free edge 132 of the bight 128 of the first side panel 114 becomes engaged with the groove G of the container C. In some embodiments, the aperture 122, the bight 128, and the groove G are configured so that there is 360 degree contact between the free edge 130 of the aperture 122, the free edge 132 of the bight 128, and the groove G when the container C is removably received and retained in the multi-pack carrier 10 as discussed above. In other embodiments, there may be less than 360 degree contact between the free edge 130 of the aperture 122, the free edge 132 of the bight 128, and the groove G when the container C is removably received and retained in the multi-pack carrier 10 as discussed above.

The container C may be removed from the multi-pack carrier 10 in a conventional manner, for example, by a user holding the multi-pack carrier with one hand, and pulling the container from the multi-pack carrier 10 with the other hand. The multi-pack carrier 10 may, but need not, fracture or tear as shown in FIG. 11 upon removal of the container C from the multi-pack carrier 10. As suggested above, the first and second fold lines 118, 120 may be, but need not be, at least partially perforated, or may otherwise at least partially embody a frangible connection that may be broken to facilitate removal of the container C from the multi-pack carrier 10.

References to orientation, for example upper and lower that may be used herein refer to relative, and not absolute, orientation unless context clearly dictates otherwise.

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the foregoing drawings and description, the same is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A blank for a paperboard multi-pack carrier configured to removably receive and retain a plurality of containers, each of the containers comprising a cylindrical upper portion having a first radius and a lower portion, the cylindrical upper portion and the lower portion cooperating to define a circular groove having a second radius lesser than the first radius, the blank having an upper surface and a lower surface, the blank comprising: a center panel; a first side panel connected to the center panel by a first fold line; and a second side panel connected to the center panel by a second fold line; wherein the center panel defines a first plurality of bulb-shaped apertures, each of the first plurality of bulb-shaped apertures having a first circular portion spaced from the first fold line and a first neck portion contiguous with the first circular portion, the first circular portion having a radius lesser than the first radius, wherein the center panel also defines a second plurality of bulb-shaped apertures, each of the second plurality of bulb-shaped apertures having a second circular portion spaced from the second fold line and a second neck portion contiguous with the first circular portion, the second circular portion having a radius lesser than the first radius, wherein the first side panel defines a first plurality of bights, each of the first plurality of bights corresponding with a respective one of the first plurality of apertures and having a radius less than the first radius, and wherein the second side panel defines a second plurality of bights, each of the second plurality of bights corresponding with a respective one of the second plurality of apertures and having a radius less than the first radius.
 2. The blank of claim 1 wherein the first fold line is defined by a crease formed into the blank.
 3. The blank of claim 1 wherein the first fold line is frangible.
 4. The blank of claim 1 wherein the center panel further defines at least one further aperture configured to receive an appendage of a user.
 5. The blank of claim 1 wherein the radius of at least one of the first plurality of bights is equal to the radius of the corresponding one of the first plurality of apertures.
 6. The blank of claim 1 wherein the neck portion of at least one of the first plurality of apertures is adjacent to the first fold line.
 7. The blank of claim 6 wherein the neck portion of at least one of the first plurality of apertures is contiguous with the first fold line
 8. A paperboard multi-pack carrier formed from the blank of claim 1, wherein the first side panel is folded about the first fold line so that the lower surface of the first side panel faces the lower surface of the center panel, and wherein the second side panel is folded about the second fold line so that the lower surface of the second side panel faces the lower surface of the center panel.
 9. The multi-pack carrier of claim 8 wherein the first fold line is defined by a crease formed into the blank.
 10. The multi-pack carrier of claim 8 wherein the first fold line is frangible.
 11. The multi-pack carrier of claim 8 wherein the center panel further defines at least one further aperture configured to receive an appendage of a user.
 12. The multi-pack carrier of claim 8 wherein the radius of at least one of the first plurality of bights is equal to the radius of the corresponding one of the first plurality of apertures.
 13. The multi-pack carrier of claim 8 wherein the neck portion of at least one of the first plurality of apertures is adjacent to the first fold line.
 14. The multi-pack carrier of claim 8 wherein the neck portion of at least one of the first plurality of apertures is contiguous with the first fold line.
 15. A method of using a multi-pack container to removably retain and receive a plurality of containers, each of the containers comprising a cylindrical upper portion having a first radius and a lower portion, the cylindrical upper portion and the lower portion cooperating to define a circular groove having a second radius lesser than the first radius, the method comprising the steps of: providing a blank for a paperboard multi-pack carrier, the blank comprising: a center panel; a first side panel connected to the center panel by a first fold line; and a second side panel connected to the center panel by a second fold line; wherein the center panel defines a first plurality of bulb-shaped apertures, each of the first plurality of bulb-shaped apertures having a first circular portion spaced from the first fold line and a first neck portion contiguous with the circular portion, the first circular portion having a radius lesser than the first radius, wherein the center panel also defines a second plurality of bulb-shaped apertures, each of the second plurality of bulb-shaped apertures having a second circular portion spaced from the second fold line and a second neck portion contiguous with the circular portion, the second circular portion having a radius lesser than the first radius, wherein the first side panel defines a first plurality of bights, each of the first plurality of bights corresponding with a respective one of the first plurality of apertures and having a radius less than the first radius, wherein the second side panel defines a second plurality of bights, each of the second plurality of bights corresponding with a respective one of the second plurality of apertures and having a radius less than the first radius; inserting the cylindrical upper portion of one of the plurality of containers through a corresponding one of the first plurality of apertures so that a free edge of the circular portion of the corresponding one of the first plurality of apertures engages with the cylindrical groove of the one of the plurality of containers; and folding the first side panel about the first fold line so that the lower surface of the first side panel faces the lower surface of the center panel and so that a free edge of a corresponding one of the first plurality of bights engages with the cylindrical, circumferential groove of the one of the plurality of containers.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the first fold line is defined by a crease formed into the blank.
 17. The multi-pack carrier of claim 15 wherein the first fold line is frangible.
 18. The multi-pack carrier of claim 15 wherein the center panel further defines at least one further aperture configured to receive an appendage of a user.
 19. The multi-pack carrier of claim 15 wherein the radius of at least one of the first plurality of bights is equal to the radius of the corresponding one of the first plurality of apertures.
 20. The multi-pack carrier of claim 15 wherein the neck portion of at least one of the first plurality of apertures is adjacent to the first fold line.
 21. The multi-pack carrier of claim 15 wherein the neck portion of at least one of the first plurality of apertures is contiguous with the first fold line. 